Systems and Methods for Measuring Global Glymphatic Flow Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing quantitative measurements of global glymphatic flow of cerebrospinal fluid (“CSF”) using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. In general, images are obtained from a subject using flow-sensitive MRI techniques that are designed to be particularly sensitive to the glymphatic flow of CSF. Measures of glymphatic flow can be obtained while the subject is in an awake state and again while the subject is in a sleep state. Based on these two measurements, a biomarker that indicates a neurological state or disease can be generated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/903,029 filed Feb. 3, 2016, which is the national stage ofInternational Patent Application PCT/IB2015/05128 filed Feb. 19, 2015.The contents of these applications are herein incorporated by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is systems and methods for magnetic resonanceimaging (“MRI”). More particularly, the invention relates to systems andmethods for measuring global glymphatic flow in a subject using MRI.

Recent studies have indicated that the flushing of cerebral spinal fluid(“CSF”) may be a mechanism that is used to eliminate toxins from thecentral nervous system. In general, this process is part of theso-called “glymphatic system.” It would be desirable to provide systemsand methods that provide a characterization or quantification of theflow of CSF through the glymphatic system because such information couldprovide insights into how neurological diseases develop and progress inthe healthy nervous system.

For instance, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods thatare capable of monitoring or otherwise characterizing a breakdown inglymphatic flow, as these changes may be caused by, or be correlatedwith, the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such asAlzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, in addition toamyotropic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) and chronic traumaticencephalopathy.

Recently, researchers have investigated whether glymphatic flow can beimaged using MRI. For instance, contrast-enhanced MRI techniques wereused to map regions of high and low volume solute exchange. While thesestudies were able to provide qualitative information about relativeglymphatic flow, it would be more desirable to provide systems andmethods that are capable of providing quantitative measures ofglymphatic flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks byproviding a method for measuring glymphatic flow in a subject usingmagnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). In general, the method includesdirecting the MRI system to acquire data from a subject using a pulsesequence that induces an image contrast in the acquired data that isassociated with glymphatic flow. At least one image is reconstructedfrom the acquired data and a measure of global glymphatic flow isestimated based on, or from, the at least one reconstructed image.

It is an aspect of the invention that data can be acquired following theadministration of a contrast agent to the subject's cerebrospinal fluid(“CSF”), where the data can be acquired while the contrast agent isperfusing through the subject's tissues or flowing through the subject'scentral nervous system.

It is another aspect of the invention that data can be acquired ascontrol data and spin-labeled data. Spin-labeled data can be acquiredfrom an imaging region in the subject by applying a radio frequency(“RF”) pulse to a labeling region in the subject that is proximal to theimaging region, such that spins associated with cerebrospinal fluid arelabeled and flow into the imaging region while the spin-labeled data isacquired. Control data can be acquired from the imaging region in thesubject, wherein an RF pulse is not applied to the labeling region priorto acquiring the control data from the imaging region.

It is another aspect of the invention that data can be acquired using aphase contrast pulse sequence that is configured to impart a phasecontrast to cerebrospinal fluid flowing though the subject's centralnervous system.

It is another aspect of the invention that data can be acquired asdiffusion-weighted data using a pulse sequence that includesdiffusion-encoding gradients that are designed to have a b-valuesufficient to sensitize the diffusion-weighted data to at least one ofperfusion of CSF and bulk flow of CSF.

The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention willappear from the following description. In the description, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichthere is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of theinvention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scopeof the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claimsand herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example of a methodfor measuring glymphatic flow based on contrast-enhanced cerebrospinalfluid (“CSF”) perfusion imaging;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example of a methodfor measuring glymphatic flow based on contrast-enhanced bulk CSF flowimaging;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example of a methodfor measuring glymphatic flow based on spin-labeled, or spin-tagged,imaging techniques;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example of a methodfor measuring glymphatic flow based on phase contrast imagingtechniques;

FIG. 5 is a plot illustrating a range of b-values that is correlatedwith CSF perfusion and bulk flow rates rather than blood perfusion andflow or cellular diffusion;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example of a methodfor measuring glymphatic flow based on diffusion-weighted imaging (“DWI)techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (“DTI”); and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of a magnetic resonance imaging(“MRI”) system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described here are systems and methods for providing quantitativemeasurements of global cerebrospinal fluid (“CSF”) flow using magneticresonance imaging (“MRI”). In general, images are obtained from asubject using flow-sensitive MRI techniques that are designed to beparticularly sensitive to the flow of CSF.

Based on these measurements, glymphatic flow can be characterized.Glymphatic flow generally refers to the flow of CSF through the body'sglymphatic system, which is a functional waste clearance pathway for thecentral nervous system (“CNS”). The glymphatic system is responsible forremoving interstitial fluid and extracellular fluid during a sleepingstate. These two measurements can then be correlated to a metric thatindicates neurological pathology. The measurements of glymphatic flowprovided by the present invention are thus capable of generating imagingbiomarkers for assessing neurological pathologies.

The systems and methods described here provide flow-sensitive imagingtechniques that are specifically designed to measure glymphatic flow inthe central nervous system (e.g., the brain and spine) of a subject, andto quantify this glymphatic flow both in awake and asleep subjects. Ingeneral, because the glymphatic flow is a “flushing” of the brain byCSF, the systems and methods described here that can be used to measureand quantify glymphatic flow can be designed to target bulk CSF flowand/or tissue-level CSF flow (i.e., CSF perfusion), as will be describedbelow in detail.

When quantifying glymphatic flow during a sleep state, it may bepreferable to monitor the subject to identify when the subject is in aparticular state of sleep or rest. To this end, data acquisition withthe MRI system can be triggered by, or otherwise synchronized with, datathat indicates the subject's particular sleep or rest state. As oneexample, this data can be provided using electroencephalography (“EEG”).As another example, this data can be provided by monitoring the subject,such as by video monitoring of the subject.

Contrast-Enhanced CSF Perfusion Imaging

In some embodiments, glymphatic flow can be measured using a pulsesequence that is designed to acquire data that is sensitive totissue-level CSF flow. As one particular example, a conventionalperfusion MRI technique can be specifically adapted to measuretissue-level CSF flow through the glymphatic system.

In conventional perfusion MRI techniques, a contrast agent is injectedinto the subject's blood stream, and perfusion metrics are estimatedfrom data acquisitions that are sensitive to the contrast agent, such asT₂*-weighted or T₁-weighted imaging. For instance, the subject's bloodvolume can be estimated because, in healthy brain tissues, the bloodbrain barrier keeps the contrast agent in the intravascular space.

As one example, glymphatic flow can also be measured using tissue-levelperfusion with contrast-enhanced MRI. In these embodiments, a contrastagent can be administered to a subject's CSF, such as by injecting thecontrast agent into the subject's CSF. Contrast agent-sensitive MRimaging can then be performed at a timescale consistent with CSF flow.Models of perfusion contrast kinetics can then be applied to theacquired images to estimate a measure of glymphatic flow. Theseembodiments would be advantageous for CSF perfusion and glymphatic flowat the brain tissue level.

Thus, in these embodiments, a contrast agent is administered to thesubject and a series of MR images are acquired as the contrast agentperfuses into the tissues-of-interest. Examples of contrast agentsinclude intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents, superparamagneticiron oxide (“SPIO”)-based contrast agents, and other nanoparticle-basedcontrast agents that can naturally perfuse through the brain, includingsmall molecule agents or nano-bubbles of oxygenation. From the acquiredseries of contrast-enhanced MR images, a measurement of glymphatic flowcan be computed.

It is possible to assess glymphatic flow by analyzing MR signalintensity changes after the first pass of the contrast agent. Whilepassing through the interstitial space, a short bolus of contrast agentproduces local magnetic field inhomogeneities that lead to a reductionin the transverse magnetization relaxation time of the bulk tissue. Thissusceptibility effect can be recorded by a series of rapidly acquiredT₂*-weighted images that reveal how the MR signal changes during thefirst pass of the contrast agent. The resulting MR signal intensityversus time curves can be converted into contrast agentconcentration-time curves. Measures of glymphatic flow can then bederived or otherwise determined from these curves.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a flowchart is illustrated as setting forth thesteps of an example method for measuring glymphatic flow fromtissue-level measurements of CSF perfusion. The method begins with theadministration of a contrast agent to the subject, as indicated at step102. For instance, the contrast agent can be administered to thesubject's CSF space. Data is then acquired as the contrast agentperfuses through the subject's tissues, as indicated at step 104. As oneexample, this data can be acquired using a T₂*-weighted pulse sequenceusing a data acquisition that is performed on a timescale that isconsistent with CSF flow rather than blood flow.

A series of images are then reconstructed from the acquired data, asindicated at step 106. From these images, a time-varying signalintensity curve associated with the CSF-mediated perfusion of thecontrast agent is generated, as indicated at step 108. A measurement ofglymphatic flow can then be estimated from this signal intensity curve,as indicated at step 110. As one example, the glymphatic flow can bequantified using a model of perfusion contrast kinetics.

In some embodiments, this method can be repeated twice: once while thesubject is in an awake state and once while the subject is in a sleep,or other rest, state. The measurements of glymphatic flow that areobtained for these two different states can then be compared to assessthe neurological function or state of the subject. In some otherembodiments, rather than compare absolute measurements of glymphaticflow in an awake state and a sleep state, the relative change—whether anincrease or a decrease—in glymphatic flow between the two states can bemeasured. For instance, images corresponding to the awake state andimages corresponding to the sleep state can be reconstructed and used toestimate a measure of the relative change in glymphatic flow between thetwo states, rather than estimating the absolute flow for the two statesseparately.

In both of these example, the absolute measures of the glymphatic flow,or the relative change in flow between the two states, can be used as abiomarker that characterizes or otherwise indicates neurologicalfunction or disease. For instance, quantifying, or otherwisecharacterizing, changes in glymphatic flow can be used to assist in theevaluation of a neurological state of a subject. As one example, poorglymphatic flow can implicate the presence of white matter diseases;thus, the measure of glymphatic flow, or changes in glymphatic flowbetween awake and sleep states, can be useful as a biomarker implicatingneurological disease.

Preferably, quiet MRI techniques can be used when measuring glymphaticflow during a sleep, or other rest, state. In general, quiet MRItechniques involve applying pulse sequence designs in which the rate ofchange of the magnetic gradients used for imaging is low throughout theentire scan. As a result of this slow rate of change, the acoustic noisecreated by the MRI scanner is minimized. Quiet MRI techniques can alsobe achieved through hardware design of the MRI system. As one example,the gradient system can be designed to minimize vibration forcesgenerated by the gradient coils, or the MRI system can generallydesigned to dampen acoustic transmission in the system. Applying suchquiet MRI techniques to glymphatic flow characterization would enablemeasurement of glymphatic flow in subjects that are in a sleep state.

Contrast-Enhanced CSF Flow Imaging

In some other embodiments, the larger CSF flow volumes can be imaged,from which a measurement of bulk glymphatic flow can be estimated. Asone example, the larger CSF volumes can be dynamically imaged over timefollowing an administration of a contrast agent into the CSF space.Based on images acquired in this manner, the rate of enhancement withinthe CSF space can be directly monitored. From this rate of enhancementthe relative flow rate within the CSF can be calculated. Thus, a measureof glymphatic flow can be estimated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart is illustrated as setting forth thesteps of an example method for measuring glymphatic flow from images ofbulk CSF flow. The method begins with the administration of a contrastagent to the subject, as indicated at step 202. For instance, thecontrast agent can be administered to the subject's CSF space. Data isthen acquired as the contrast agent flows through the subject's centralnervous system, as indicated at step 204. As one example, this data canbe acquired using a any suitable pulse sequence using a data acquisitionthat is performed on a timescale that is consistent with CSF flow ratherthan blood flow.

A series of images are then reconstructed from the acquired data, asindicated at step 206. From these images, a measurement of glymphaticflow can then be estimated, as indicated at step 208.

In some embodiments, this method can be repeated twice: once while thesubject is in an awake state and once while the subject is in a sleep,or other rest, state. The measurements of glymphatic flow that areobtained for these two different states can then be compared to assessthe neurological function or state of the subject. As described above,quiet MRI techniques can be applied when acquiring data from a subjectduring a sleep, or other rest, state.

Spin-Labeled CSF Perfusion Imaging

The aforementioned methods for quantifying glymphatic flow are based oncontrast-enhanced imaging techniques. In many instances, however, it maybe advantageous to use a non-contrast-enhanced imaging technique toassess glymphatic flow. As one example, subjects who have impairedkidney function may develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (“NSF”) as aresult of exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents. For thesesubjects, non-contrast-enhanced methods will be preferred.

Thus, glymphatic flow can also be measured based on images acquiredusing non-contrast-enhanced techniques that are specifically designed tobe sensitive to glymphatic flow.

In some embodiments, glymphatic flow can be measured from images thatare acquired using a pulse sequence that tags, or otherwise labels,spins associated with CSF that are inflowing into a target imagingregion, which may be an imaging slice or an imaging volume.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart is illustrated as setting forth thesteps of an example method for measuring glymphatic flow based on imagesacquired using a spin labeling pulse sequence. The method begins withthe acquisition of a control image that is acquired without labeling theCSF spins, as indicated at step 302. A spin-labeled image is thenacquired, as generally indicated at step 304.

The acquisition of the spin-labeled image generally includes using apulse sequence that labels CSF spins that are flowing into a targetimaging region. As one example, the CSF spins can be labeled by applyingan inversion or saturation radio frequency (“RF”) pulse proximal to thetarget imaging region. In this manner, the CSF spins are magneticallylabeled some distance away from the imaging slice or volume. As thelabeled CSF flows into the imaging region the inflow is detected as amodulation of the longitudinal magnetization.

The successfulness of implementing this spin-labeling technique dependson accurately determining when the tagged CSF enters and leaves theimaging region because ill-timed image acquisitions can result in signalloss or artifacts in the reconstructed image. Thus, the timing of thespin-labeling RF pulse and the data acquisition can be determined basedon the timescale of glymphatic flow.

In some embodiments, a time-resolved perfusion imaging technique can beimplemented to help evaluate perfusion evolution dynamics. Using atime-resolved imaging technique also has the benefit of reducing thesensitivity of the imaging technique to exact prescription of timingparameters. For instance, a time-resolved method can be used to acquiremultiple imaging volumes, each representing the location of the taggedCSF at a different delay time relative to the application of thespin-labeling RF pulse.

In some examples, an imaging protocol can be established in which areashaving low-flow are locally tagged to identify regions that may haveflow issues. Regions that are identified as such can then besystematically imaged and evaluated.

In general, CSF has a significantly longer Ti relaxation time thansurrounding tissues, and also takes a relatively long time to perfuseinto the brain. As a result, the acquisition of the spin-labeled imageshould include parameters that are specific to the CSF T₁ relaxationtime and expected perfusion rates. For instance, because CSF travelsslower than blood, the spin-labeled volume should be selected to beclose to the imaging volume. This allows tagged blood to flow out of theimaging volume while keeping the tagged CSF in the imaging volume duringdata acquisition.

A perfusion-weighted image can then be generated by subtracting thecontrol image and the spin-labeled image, as indicated at step 306.Based on this perfusion-weighted image, glymphatic flow can be measuredor otherwise quantified, as indicated at step 308.

In some embodiments, this method can be repeated twice: once while thesubject is in an awake state and once while the subject is in a sleep,or other rest, state. The measurements of glymphatic flow that areobtained for these two different states can then be compared to assessthe neurological function or state of the subject. As described above,quiet MRI techniques can be applied when acquiring data from a subjectduring a sleep, or other rest, state.

Phase-Contrast CSF Flow Imaging

Another example of a non-contrast-enhanced imaging technique that can beadapted to measure glymphatic flow includes phase contrast imagingtechniques. Thus, in some embodiments, phase contrast imaging can beused to acquire images, from which glymphatic flow can be measured.

In general, phase contrast imaging techniques encode spin motion intothe phase of the acquired signal. These imaging techniques derivecontrast between flowing spins and stationary tissues by manipulatingthe phase of the magnetization, such that the phase of the magnetizationfrom the stationary spins is zero and the phase of the magnetizationfrom the moving spins is non-zero.

As one example, motion encoding gradients that are sensitive to velocitycomponents in two or three orthogonal directions can be used. In thisacquisition technique, spins that are moving along the direction of themotion encoding gradient will receive a phase shift that is proportionalto their velocity. From the resulting velocity component images, totalquantitative flow images can be produced, from which glymphatic flow canbe quantified.

Phase contrast acquisitions are thus designed so that specific flowrates will result in specific signal phases in the phase differencedata. This imaging technique can, therefore, be suitably adapted toimage bulk CSF flow in the larger CSF volumes. Moreover, phase contrastimaging techniques can be adapted to measure bulk CSF flow at differenttimes or in different states, such as during a rest state or an awakestate.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart is illustrated as setting forth thesteps of an example method for measuring glymphatic flow based on aphase contrast imaging technique. The method begins with the acquisitionof control data, in which no motion encoding gradients are applied, asindicated at step 402. Next, flow-sensitized data is acquired using apulse sequence in which motion encoding gradients are applied, asindicated at step 404. In this acquisition, stationary tissues will notexperience a phase change from the motion encoding gradients, but spinsmoving along the direction of the motion encoding gradients willexperience a phase shift. As indicated at decision block 406, if motionencoding along additional directions is desired, step 404 can berepeated while changing the direction of the motion encoding gradientsfor each repetition. Step 404 can also be repeated to acquire data thatis sensitive to different flow rates by suitably changing the motionencoding gradients to be sensitive to different flow rates, such as bychanging a user-selected velocity-encoding (“VENC”) value.

After the control data and the desired amount of flow-sensitized datahave been acquired, one or more phase difference images are produced, asindicated at step 408. Each phase difference, or phase contrast, imagecan be generated by first computing phase difference data by subtractingone set of flow-sensitized data and the control data. From the phasedifference data, a phase difference, or phase contrast, image can thenbe reconstructed. The phase difference data can be computed using aphase difference or complex difference technique, as is known in theart.

From the one or more phase contrast images, a measure of glymphatic flowcan be estimated, as indicated at step 410. In some embodiments, thismethod can be repeated twice: once while the subject is in an awakestate and once while the subject is in a sleep, or other rest, state.The measurements of glymphatic flow that are obtained for these twodifferent states can then be compared to assess the neurologicalfunction or state of the subject. As described above, quiet MRItechniques can be applied when acquiring data from a subject during asleep, or other rest, state.

Diffusion-Sensitive CSF Flow Imaging

Still other embodiments for acquiring magnetic resonance images fromwhich glymphatic flow can be estimated include methods based ondiffusion imaging principles.

In general, diffusion MRI is a technique that sensitizes the magneticresonance signal to the amount of random water movement. It iscontemplated that CSF perfusion rates and bulk CSF flow rates would fallbetween blood flow rates and tissue water diffusion rates. As a result,diffusion imaging techniques can be particularly tailored to generate animage contrast that differentiates glymphatic flow related to CSFperfusion and bulk flow. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, adiffusion imaging pulse sequence can be designed such that the b-valuedefined by the diffusion gradients and their timing will result in spinsassociated with CSF perfusion and bulk flow to be selectivelysensitized.

Quantitative diffusion measurements with diffusion encoding applied at alevel that would be most sensitive to water motion associated with theseCSF perfusion and bulk flow rates can therefore provide for thecharacterization and quantification of glymphatic flow. Furthermore,directional diffusion measurements (e.g., those obtained using diffusiontensor imaging) may provide additional directional information about theglymphatic flow.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart is illustrated as setting forth thesteps of an example method for measuring glymphatic flow based on adiffusion imaging technique. The method begins by selecting a b-value,or otherwise designing diffusion gradients, that will result insensitizing flow specific to CSF perfusion and bulk flow rates, asindicated at step 602. As one example, the b-value can be selected in arange of about 100 s²/mm to about 1000 s²/mm. In some embodiments,multiple different b-values can be selected across a range of values.

Non-diffusion-weighted images are acquired, as indicated at step 604.Preferably, the non-diffusion-weighted images are acquired using thesame pulse sequence that will be used to acquire diffusion-weightedimages, but with the b-value set to zero (i.e., without diffusionencoding gradients). Diffusion-weighted images are then acquired using apulse sequence that includes diffusion-encoding gradients that aredesigned according to the selected b-value, as indicated at step 606. Insome embodiments, blood signals can be saturated before acquiring thenon-diffusion-weighted data, the diffusion-weighted data, or both,thereby improving the acquired CSF signal.

In some other embodiments, multiple sets of diffusion-weighted imagescan be acquired by using a different b-value for each set of images. Asone example, different image sets can be acquired using b-values over arange of relatively small b-values (e.g., 0 s²/mm to about 100 s²/mm) tocharacterize “fast” moving water. If signals from blood have beensaturated, as described above, then it is contemplated that thecontribution of perfusion effects to the diffusion curve will beindicative of CSF flow rather than blood flow. Because the CSF flowshould be slower than blood flow, a larger range of relatively smallb-values can be used to gather information about this effect.

If directional information is desired, as determined at decision block608, additional diffusion-weighted images can be acquired by repeatingstep 606 while changing the diffusion-encoding direction defined by thediffusion-encoding gradients. When the desired amount of images has beenacquired, diffusion parameters are computed, as indicated at step 610.As one example, the diffusion parameter can include the apparentdiffusion coefficient (“ADC”). As another example, the diffusionparameter can include those computed from a diffusion tensor, includingmean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy.

The computed diffusion parameters can then be used to estimate orotherwise characterize the glymphatic flow, as indicated at step 612. Insome embodiments, this method can be repeated twice: once while thesubject is in an awake state and once while the subject is in a sleep,or other rest, state. The measurements of glymphatic flow that areobtained for these two different states can then be compared to assessthe neurological function or state of the subject. As described above,quiet MRI techniques can be applied when acquiring data from a subjectduring a sleep, or other rest, state.

Spatially-Selective Measurements

Many of the aforementioned data acquisition techniques can be augmentedusing a spatially-selective excitation, such as by using an RFexcitation profile that is focused to excite only a small volume. As oneexample, the small volume can include a cylindrical volume thatencompasses a region where CSF resides within the CNS at a given time.For instance, a small cylindrical volume within the brainstem can beselectively excited.

Advantageously, using a spatially-selective excitation a high-temporalresolution data set can be acquired, from which an estimate of how longit takes for the excited, or otherwise labeled, signal to travel to adesired imaging region. Based on this information, a flow rate for theCSF can be determined. One example of a high-temporal resolutionacquisition that can be used in these instances includes a magic angleradial acquisition scheme. This procedure can be repeated over a longperiod of time to track changes in CSF flow and, therefore, inglymphatic flow.

The methods for quantifying glymphatic flow described here can be usedto map the volume of the interstitial space in the subject's brain andhow it varies over the sleep pattern of the subject. It is contemplatedthat a long term measurement of changes in how the volume of theinterstitial space varies over the sleep pattern of the subject can beused as a precursor to different neurological diseases.

Referring particularly now to FIG. 7, an example of a magnetic resonanceimaging (“MRI”) system 700 is illustrated. The MRI system 700 includesan operator workstation 702, which will typically include a display 704;one or more input devices 706, such as a keyboard and mouse; and aprocessor 708. The processor 708 may include a commercially availableprogrammable machine running a commercially available operating system.The operator workstation 702 provides the operator interface thatenables scan prescriptions to be entered into the MRI system 700. Ingeneral, the operator workstation 702 may be coupled to four servers: apulse sequence server 710; a data acquisition server 712; a dataprocessing server 714; and a data store server 716. The operatorworkstation 702 and each server 710, 712, 714, and 716 are connected tocommunicate with each other. For example, the servers 710, 712, 714, and716 may be connected via a communication system 740, which may includeany suitable network connection, whether wired, wireless, or acombination of both. As an example, the communication system 740 mayinclude both proprietary or dedicated networks, as well as opennetworks, such as the internet.

The pulse sequence server 710 functions in response to instructionsdownloaded from the operator workstation 702 to operate a gradientsystem 718 and a radiofrequency (“RF”) system 720. Gradient waveformsnecessary to perform the prescribed scan are produced and applied to thegradient system 718, which excites gradient coils in an assembly 722 toproduce the magnetic field gradients G_(x), G_(y), and G_(z) used forposition encoding magnetic resonance signals. The gradient coil assembly722 forms part of a magnet assembly 724 that includes a polarizingmagnet 726 and a whole-body RF coil 728. In some embodiments, thegradient system 718 is preferably capable of achieving high gradientpower. In some other embodiments, the gradient system 718 is capable ofoperating in a quiet MRI mode, such as by slowly varying the magneticfield gradients to minimize acoustic noise generated by the gradientcoil assembly 722 during imaging.

RF waveforms are applied by the RF system 720 to the RF coil 728, or aseparate local coil (not shown in FIG. 7), in order to perform theprescribed magnetic resonance pulse sequence. Responsive magneticresonance signals detected by the RF coil 728, or a separate local coil(not shown in FIG. 7), are received by the RF system 720, where they areamplified, demodulated, filtered, and digitized under direction ofcommands produced by the pulse sequence server 710. The RF system 720includes an RF transmitter for producing a wide variety of RF pulsesused in MRI pulse sequences. The RF transmitter is responsive to thescan prescription and direction from the pulse sequence server 710 toproduce RF pulses of the desired frequency, phase, and pulse amplitudewaveform. The generated RF pulses may be applied to the whole-body RFcoil 728 or to one or more local coils or coil arrays (not shown in FIG.7).

The RF system 720 also includes one or more RF receiver channels. EachRF receiver channel includes an RF preamplifier that amplifies themagnetic resonance signal received by the coil 728 to which it isconnected, and a detector that detects and digitizes the I and Qquadrature components of the received magnetic resonance signal. Themagnitude of the received magnetic resonance signal may, therefore, bedetermined at any sampled point by the square root of the sum of thesquares of the I and Q components:

M=√{square root over (I ² +Q)}(1);

and the phase of the received magnetic resonance signal may also bedetermined according to the following relationship:

$\begin{matrix}{\phi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{Q}{I} \right)}.}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

The pulse sequence server 710 also optionally receives patient data froma physiological acquisition controller 730. By way of example, thephysiological acquisition controller 730 may receive signals from anumber of different sensors connected to the patient, such aselectrocardiograph (“ECG”) signals from electrodes, or respiratorysignals from a respiratory bellows or other respiratory monitoringdevice. Such signals are typically used by the pulse sequence server 710to synchronize, or “gate,” the performance of the scan with thesubject's heart beat or respiration.

The pulse sequence server 710 also connects to a scan room interfacecircuit 732 that receives signals from various sensors associated withthe condition of the patient and the magnet system. It is also throughthe scan room interface circuit 732 that a patient positioning system734 receives commands to move the patient to desired positions duringthe scan.

The digitized magnetic resonance signal samples produced by the RFsystem 720 are received by the data acquisition server 712. The dataacquisition server 712 operates in response to instructions downloadedfrom the operator workstation 702 to receive the real-time magneticresonance data and provide buffer storage, such that no data is lost bydata overrun. In some scans, the data acquisition server 712 does littlemore than pass the acquired magnetic resonance data to the dataprocessor server 714. However, in scans that require information derivedfrom acquired magnetic resonance data to control the further performanceof the scan, the data acquisition server 712 is programmed to producesuch information and convey it to the pulse sequence server 710. Forexample, during prescans, magnetic resonance data is acquired and usedto calibrate the pulse sequence performed by the pulse sequence server710. As another example, navigator signals may be acquired and used toadjust the operating parameters of the RF system 720 or the gradientsystem 718, or to control the view order in which k-space is sampled. Instill another example, the data acquisition server 712 may also beemployed to process magnetic resonance signals used to detect thearrival of a contrast agent in a magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”)scan. By way of example, the data acquisition server 712 acquiresmagnetic resonance data and processes it in real-time to produceinformation that is used to control the scan.

The data processing server 714 receives magnetic resonance data from thedata acquisition server 712 and processes it in accordance withinstructions downloaded from the operator workstation 702. Suchprocessing may, for example, include one or more of the following:reconstructing two-dimensional or three-dimensional images by performinga Fourier transformation of raw k-space data; performing other imagereconstruction algorithms, such as iterative or backprojectionreconstruction algorithms; applying filters to raw k-space data or toreconstructed images; generating functional magnetic resonance images;calculating motion or flow images; and so on.

Images reconstructed by the data processing server 714 are conveyed backto the operator workstation 702 where they are stored. Real-time imagesare stored in a data base memory cache (not shown in FIG. 7), from whichthey may be output to operator display 712 or a display 736 that islocated near the magnet assembly 724 for use by attending physicians.Batch mode images or selected real time images are stored in a hostdatabase on disc storage 738. When such images have been reconstructedand transferred to storage, the data processing server 714 notifies thedata store server 716 on the operator workstation 702. The operatorworkstation 702 may be used by an operator to archive the images,produce films, or send the images via a network to other facilities.

The MRI system 700 may also include one or more networked workstations742. By way of example, a networked workstation 742 may include adisplay 744; one or more input devices 746, such as a keyboard andmouse; and a processor 748. The networked workstation 742 may be locatedwithin the same facility as the operator workstation 702, or in adifferent facility, such as a different healthcare institution orclinic.

The networked workstation 742, whether within the same facility or in adifferent facility as the operator workstation 702, may gain remoteaccess to the data processing server 714 or data store server 716 viathe communication system 740. Accordingly, multiple networkedworkstations 742 may have access to the data processing server 714 andthe data store server 716. In this manner, magnetic resonance data,reconstructed images, or other data may be exchanged between the dataprocessing server 714 or the data store server 716 and the networkedworkstations 742, such that the data or images may be remotely processedby a networked workstation 742. This data may be exchanged in anysuitable format, such as in accordance with the transmission controlprotocol (“TCP”), the internet protocol (“IP”), or other known orsuitable protocols.

The present invention has been described in terms of one or morepreferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that manyequivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside fromthose expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of theinvention.

1. A method for measuring glymphatic flow in a subject using a magneticresonance imaging (MRI) system, the steps of the method comprising: (a)directing the MRI system to acquire data from a subject using a pulsesequence that induces an image contrast in the acquired data that isassociated with glymphatic flow; (b) reconstructing at least one imagefrom the data acquired in step (a); and (c) estimating a measure ofglobal glymphatic flow from the at least one image reconstructed in step(b).
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingadministering a contrast agent to a subject's cerebrospinal fluid, andwherein step (a) includes performing a contrast-enhanced pulse sequence.3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step (a) is performed whilethe contrast agent is perfusing through tissues in the subject.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 3, wherein step (b) includes reconstructing aseries of images and step (c) includes computing at least one signalintensity curve from the series of images and estimating the measure ofglobal glymphatic flow from the at least one signal intensity curve. 5.The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the measure of globalglymphatic flow is estimated from the at least one signal intensitycurve using a perfusion contrast kinetics model.
 6. The method asrecited in claim 2, wherein step (a) is performed while the contrastagent is flowing through a central nervous system of the subject.
 7. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein step (a) includes: acquiringspin-labeled data from an imaging region in the subject by applying aradio frequency (RF) pulse to a labeling region in the subject that isproximal to the imaging region, such that spins associated withcerebrospinal fluid are labeled and flow into the imaging region whilethe spin-labeled data is acquired; acquiring control data from theimaging region in the subject, wherein an RF pulse is not applied to thelabeling region prior to acquiring the control data from the imagingregion.
 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein step (b) includesreconstructing a control image from the control data and a labeled imagefrom the spin-labeled data, and wherein step (c) includes estimating themeasure of global glymphatic flow from a difference image produced bysubtracting the control image and the labeled image.
 9. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein step (a) includes performing a phasecontrast pulse sequence that is configured to impart a phase contrast tocerebrospinal fluid flowing though the subject's central nervous system.10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein step (a) includesacquiring multiple different sets of data, each set of data beingacquired using different flow-encoding gradients in the phase contrastpulse sequence such that different states of glymphatic flow aresensitized.